Rollermania! (‘Life’s a Journey’ Series, Week 17)

This post is part of a weekly series of ‘link-up’ Posts which reflect on life’s journey, old memories and family stories (see below for more info).

There are certain eras that can be summed up from a single photograph. In my opinion, this photo is one of those. It is the iconic memory of the 1970s to any young girl who happened to be between the ages of 8 and 38 at that time.

Friends, this was The Bay City Rollers (sigh). And whilst I cannot deny the ridiculous nature of the ‘uniform’, the wet-behind-the-ears lads in this photograph were soon to become the leaders of a vast Tartan Army, and a 1970s tour de force.

The sound of Leslie’s tender ‘Bye Bye Baby’ tones still gives me goosebumps today. Close your eyes for a moment and indulge yourself in a time-warp musical interlude…

Bay City Roller Facts

1. They wore The Tartan in a ‘camper-than-a-row-of-pink-tents’ kind of uniform

2. Shortness of trouser not entirely due to Edinburgh’s proneness to flooding

3. The creature on the right clearly should have had a wee-wee before he left home

Why, yes. I bloody would. Me and my original BCR album (bottom half!)

4. Those cute wee laddies frae bonny Scotland, led by the pant-wetting lovely that was Les McKeown (with the coy looking head tilt in dark blue), rocked our pre-teen worlds back in the day. Alan Longmuir, Eric Faulkner, Stuart “Woody” Wood, Derek Longmuir and Leslie McKeown stuck a pin in a map and took the name ‘Bay City’ Rollers for no other reason than that’s where it landed. Originally called The Saxons, this was seen as a better name for some reason.

5. They became such a phenomenon that mothers everywhere gave up locking up their daughters and donned their own tartan scarves instead. In 1975, 40 female fans attempted to reach the band by swimming across a lake to where they were due to perform. Several were hospitalised, and the band were flown out by helicopter without even performing a single song.

I was a pre-teen at the height of Rollermania, but I can remember joining in the playground chants of “B.A.Y, B.A.Y, B.A.Y.C.I.T.Y, R.O.Double L. E.R.S…Bay City Rollers are the best!” but I was never allowed to don the holy plaid.

Anyone out there recall these awesome but ill-fated Edinburgh boys? Were you a fan? Did you wear the uniform? Got any pictures you’d like to share? I’d love to hear your memories, so get Posting!!!!!

Post an entry to your own Blog and use the Linky tool (link below) to enter your memories into the fray. If you like, just leave a comment and join in that way, but do join in.

If you feel sexy, grab the code too (just follow the link) and post it into your Blog entry – that way, everyone can pay it forward as they say – it’s good to share.

Please visit the other blogs on the list and leave a comment or two – it makes everyone’s day!

Next week’s Linky theme will be all about those old Teen magazines. Maybe you were a ‘Jackie’ girl? Or perhaps you looked out for ‘Look-In’ every week!! Post your memories and join in with next week’s Linky (Tues)…..

15 responses to “Rollermania! (‘Life’s a Journey’ Series, Week 17)”

I am laughing out loud at your Bay City Rollers post. I worked in a Record Store, yep back when there was vinyl, in the 70’s. I must been quite a bit older as I remember the BCR kind of like a fly in the face and. Annoying!

Of course Rock and Roll dominated the airwaves and Punk was played if you were cool. if you look at it that way there was nothing cool about them, except to a pre-teen.

Not cool enough for one who was TRYING to be cool! I am just saying they were perfect for your age! Heck if I was your age I would have been front row at their concert…wearing plaid… I did have a David Bowie look according to my nephews! It was better than hippy.